California CalFresh

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This thread is so frustratting!!! Can someone just clearly say which counties are gettin this extra money?? I'm in Sacramento and really need to know if I should be expecting something extra on the 15th or not????

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The disaster declaration included these counties: Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba. BUT - you would have needed to apply for Disaster CalFresh during the application period (which was back in February for most counties) AND show you had disaster-related expenses or losses. If you didn't apply then, you won't receive anything extra. This wasn't automatic for regular CalFresh recipients.

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Thank you! I didnt apply for any disaster benefits so I guess I won't get anything extra. I wish they'd bring back the pandemic extras permanently. My benefits barely last 2 weeks now.

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Just to provide some clarity for everyone - there are currently NO regular emergency allotments for CalFresh in 2025. What the original poster is referring to are Disaster CalFresh supplements related to specific flood-affected counties. Key points: - Regular emergency allotments ended in March 2023 - Disaster CalFresh was available only to those who applied during the short application window following the disaster - Applicants needed to show disaster-related expenses or income loss - Regular CalFresh benefits are issued according to the last digit of your case number - Maximum benefit amounts did increase slightly in October 2024 due to the annual cost of living adjustment If you're struggling with your current benefit amount, I recommend speaking with a county worker about your specific situation. There may be deductions you're eligible for that could increase your benefit amount.

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oh so theres NO extra money for most ppl??? the original post made it sound like everyone was getting something extra this month!!! thanks for explaining

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did they actually confirm the theft claim??? cuz i had benefits stolen too and they kept saying they were investigating but nothing happened for like 2 months and i had to keep calling

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Update from my earlier comment - if she's also missing her CalWORKs benefits, this is even more serious. The county is required to process expedited CalWORKs benefits in emergency situations. She should specifically ask about "immediate need CalWORKs" which can be issued within 3 business days when there are children in the household with no resources for basic necessities. Make sure she uses these exact terms when she gets through to someone.

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Thank you again! She's making notes of all these specific terms to use. Really appreciate everyone's help. I'll update once she gets this resolved.

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Thanks everyone for all your helpful responses! I checked and we definitely haven't received any P-EBT card yet. I'm going to try calling again, and if I can't get through, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. It's frustrating because that could be several hundred dollars in food benefits we could really use right now. I'll update this post if I manage to get any answers from the P-EBT helpline!

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Please do update us! One more thing to check - make sure your mailing address was correct in the CalFresh system during that eligibility period (Aug 2022-July 2023). If you moved and didn't update your address, the P-EBT card might have been sent to your old address. Unfortunately, P-EBT cards aren't forwarded by USPS like regular mail.

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I'm so annoyed with the whole P-EBT system. It's been a complete mess from the beginning. My neighbor's kids got their cards months ago, but my kids who definitely qualify haven't seen anything! And when you call, you can never get through to a real person. Then they have the nerve to put expiration dates on the benefits! How is that fair when they're so inconsistent with sending the cards out? The whole thing is ridiculous.

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OMG YES this!!!! the expiration dates are so unfair!!! my friend got her kids cards like 8 months b4 me and had all that time to use the benefits but i only had 2 months before some started to expire!!!!! i tried to call about it but couldnt get thru

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Important reminder for everyone receiving P-EBT cards: These benefits will EXPIRE if not used within 274 days (about 9 months) from issuance. Don't set it aside and forget about it! Also, P-EBT has fewer restrictions than regular CalFresh - you CAN purchase hot prepared foods with P-EBT at any location that accepts EBT.

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wait REALLY?? u can buy hot food with the p-ebt but not regular ebt? thats so backwards! so i can get my kid a rotisserie chicken with his p-ebt but cant buy one with my regular calfresh?? make it make sense 🙄

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Yep, it's confusing! P-EBT was created with different rules during the pandemic. Regular CalFresh has the hot food restriction except in counties with disaster waivers. The logic is that P-EBT replaces school meals (which are served hot), while regular CalFresh is for groceries. I agree it's not very logical when you think about it practically!

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Update: I called the P-EBT hotline (took forever to get through) and you all were right! The amount is based on actual attendance. My son missed 17 school days due to that pneumonia plus some other absences, and they subtract approximately $8.28 per day missed. Mystery solved! Thanks everyone for your help. Now to figure out what to spend this on since apparently it expires faster than regular benefits!

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Glad you got it sorted out! And yes, definitely use those P-EBT benefits before they expire. Unlike regular CalFresh which expires after 365 days of inactivity, P-EBT has that shorter 274-day timeframe. Some families create a schedule to use their P-EBT first, then switch to their regular CalFresh.

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Just to add a bit more information - the new system that's gradually replacing BenefitsCal is called CalSAWS (California Statewide Automated Welfare System). It's been in development for years and is meant to unify all 58 counties under one system. The transition is happening in phases, and Sacramento County might be in one of the current transition phases. During these transitions, some online features might be temporarily limited while they migrate data. Your best bet is to: 1. Follow your worker's specific instructions 2. Submit your paper recertification with plenty of time before deadline (at least 2 weeks) 3. Keep a copy of everything you submit 4. Get a receipt or confirmation of submission if possible 5. Call a week after submitting to confirm they received it The system should stabilize again after the transition period.

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Thank you for explaining that! It makes more sense now why this is happening. I'll make sure to keep copies of everything and follow up after submitting the forms. Really appreciate your help!

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after reading all these comments im confused now too lol. seems like everyone's county is doing something different?? typical government mess tbh

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Evelyn Xu

RIGHT?! Classic California... spend millions on a fancy online system then randomly go back to paper forms with no clear communication. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and the process changes constantly 🤦‍♀️

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